July18, 2017

WASHINGTON­—Representative Eliot L. Engel, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, this evening made the following statement:

“News of a second, unreported, private meeting between Presidents Trump and Putin raises a number of red flags, and the Administration needs to provide the American people information on this meeting at once. What was discussed there that couldn't be covered in the first two-hour meeting? Why were no other Administration officials—not even an interpreter—present? And why did the White House keep this meeting a secret?

“Scandal dealing with Russia is swirling around this Administration, and rather than provide answers, the President's behavior only leaves us asking more questions. We need to know what took place with President Putin behind closed doors.”